In Baltimore County Mobile home residents win six-year...

City/County Digest

TOWSON -- After a six-year battle, mobile home residents have persuaded the county to lower their taxes.

The County Council agreed this week to lower the tax rate charged to owners of mobile homes from 10 percent of their monthly site rental fee to 7 percent. The council also limited taxes to $20 per month. Budget officials estimate that with the changes, the county's 2,700 mobile homes will generate $175,000 a year in revenue, down from $350,000.

Owners of mobile homes had argued that their taxes should be reduced because most mobile home parks have private roads and private trash collection.

Red Cross and child's family to hold blood drive Sunday

TIMONIUM -- The American Red Cross and the family of Kendall Burrows -- a 9-year-old who died three years ago from a rare blood disorder -- will sponsor a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at Dulaney High School, 225 Padonia Road.

Kendall had Evans syndrome, a disease that attacks red blood cells and platelets. Shortly after her death, Kendall's family established the Kendall Burrows Foundation, which sponsors a blood drive each year and raises awareness about Evans syndrome and similar diseases.

Appointments: 800-GIVE LIFE.

Superintendent, principal honored by Md. health group

TOWSON -- County schools Superintendent Anthony G. Marchione received a leadership award from the Maryland State School Health Council at the group's recent annual conference.

Marchione, who will retire next month, was recognized for his commitment to the advancement of school health initiatives.

Also recognized was Perry Hall High School Principal Brian Gonzalez, who worked with staff and students to create a program to get teen-agers to stop smoking.

In Baltimore City

Goodwill to celebrate opening of corporate headquarters

Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake will celebrate the grand opening of its downtown career center and corporate headquarters at 10 a.m. today with a ceremony featuring state Comptroller William Donald Schaefer and Orioles Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson.

The center at 222 E. Redwood St. will house 50 Goodwill employees and a career development center that will offer training in computer skills, health care, retail sales and custodial services.

Goodwill expects to double the number of people it served at its former headquarters in Arbutus. Information: 410-837-1800.

Man shot Monday dies; homicide is 104th this year

A man who was shot in the head Monday died yesterday, bringing to 104 the number of homicides in Baltimore this year, said Detective Al Marcus of the homicide unit.

Gerald Lamont Owens, 24, of the 1500 block of Winston Ave. was shot about 8: 30 p.m. Monday in the 800 block of Argonne Drive in Northeast Baltimore, Marcus said. Owens died at 6 p.m. yesterday at Johns Hopkins Hospital.

Marcus said Dontae Darell Dobie, 26, of the 600 block of Dumbarton Ave. was arrested outside his home shortly after the shooting and charged with attempted murder. The shooting stemmed from a dispute, Marcus said.

Performance of `Dreamcoat' planned Sunday at Har Sinai

A free performance of the musical "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" will be held at 12: 30 p.m. Sunday in the sanctuary at Har Sinai Congregation, 6300 Park Heights Ave.

Har Sinai's Junior Jammers and the Adult Volunteer Choir will perform. Refreshments will be served after the performance. Information: 410-764-2882.

Parks department schedules hike on Gwynns Falls Trail

Fans of nature are invited to hike the Gwynns Falls Trail on Saturday. In addition to exploring local wilderness, participants can fish, skate and bicycle along the trail.

Sponsored by the city Department of Recreation and Parks, the 14-mile hike begins at 10 a.m. in the 1900 block of Ridgetop Road in Leakin Park on the western edge of the city and follows Gwynns Falls to Middle Branch of the Patapsco River.